18
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August 2014 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
Back to
School
Health
By Fiona Young-Brown
Where does the time go? Already
it’s August and in just a few weeks
we’ll be seeing the familiar yellow
school buses as kids go back to class.
You’ve no doubt already bought
everything on their back-to-school
list: the proper color folders, pencils,
etc. But have you made sure that
everything on their health list is
done? After all, you want your child
to be in the best health possible, especially as they are exposed to other
children’s germs.
If your child is starting a new
school, be sure to check any immunization requirements with your school
district. Some districts may require a
flu shot in addition to the regular list
of shots, or perhaps an MMR booster.
When was the last time your child
had their eyes checked? Many eye
issues go undetected until the child
is moving closer and closer to the
front of class, trying to see what is
on the board. Furthermore, studies
show that kids who can’t see well,
don’t perform as well in school. Don’t
wait for your child to tell you about
a problem (they often won’t). Take
them for a simple eye exam before
class begins so that you have time to
sort out corrective lenses, if needed.
Is your emergency contact info at
the school up to date? Lots of families
move house or change phone numbers, leaving school staff unable to
contact them if there is an emergency.
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Health for a lifetime.
Chiropractic Care, Nutritional
Counseling, Corrective Exercise
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Dr. Rob Kennedy B.S., D.C.
859-275-1962
340 Legion Rd., Suite #2
Lexington, KY 40504
www.cpiclexington.net
@healthykentucky
SCHOOL Continued on Page 47
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Also make sure they have contact
information for your doctor and
dentist. And if your child has been
prescribed any new medications during the school holidays, let the nurse
Like us
know. Also be sure to let them know
of any allergies or new diagnoses.
What about ensuring their health
once they are back in class? Have you
considered three big problems that
may go unnoticed:
1. Mental health. Your child may be
dying to get back to school and catch
up with friends, but chances are,
they’re experiencing more than a few
nerves. If headaches or unexplained
stomach aches suddenly appear during that first week back, it may just as
likely be an expression of fear about
returning to school. Reassure your
child that a few jitters are perfectly
normal and that once they get back
with their friends, everything will be
fine. If your child is starting a new
school, highlight the opportunities
to make new friends and begin new
adventures. Be aware, though, that
if the phantom aches continue after
a few weeks, there may be a bigger
issue at hand. Let your child know
that they can come to you if they are
experiencing bullying, and watch out
for the signs so that you can step in.
2. Back problems. It is a sad fact
that more and more children are
developing back problems due to
being overburdened with school
books and heavy backpacks. Since
spinal problems can lead to a host
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